Science of Fingerprints: Classification and Uses

THIS BOOKLET CONCERNING THE STUDY OF FINGERPRINTS HAS BEEN PREPARED BY THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FOR THE USE OF INTERESTED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHICH MAY BE CONTEMPLATING THE INAUGURATION OF FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION FILES. THE SCIENCE OF FINGERPRINTS BEGINS BY DELINEATING THE TYPES OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION, INCLUDING QUESTIONABLE PATTERNS REQUIRING CAREFUL SCRUTINY. THE CLASSIFICATION OF FINGERPRINTS IS THEN EXPLAINED ALONG WITH METHODS FOR EXTENDING THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IN ORDER TO ACCOMODATE LARGE GROUPS OF FINGERPRINTS THAT HAVE BECOME CUMBERSOME AND UNWIELDY.

Government officials engaged in the processing of fingerprinting for official use in law enforcement and identifying individuals for any security causes could find this resource useful.